Oxford’s Life and Mind Building tops out

A significant milestone has been reached in the £4bn partnership between the University of Oxford and Legal & General (L&G) with the topping out ceremony of the new Life and Mind Building.

This city-centre construction project is the first launched under the joint venture that led to the formation of Oxford University Development (OUD).

The Life and Mind Building will deliver circa 24,900m² of cutting-edge research, teaching and innovation space. It will house students, researchers and support staff from the department of Biology and Experimental Psychology, significantly improving the way these disciplines are delivered in Oxford.

The building is situated at the gateway to Oxford’s Science Area and replaces the Tinbergen Building which closed in February 2017. Set across two wings, it features laboratory and office accommodation, with a central atrium and lower floor teaching centre. The design will provide maximal flexibility and foster new collaboration between the two departments.

Working on behalf of main contractor Wates, Bourne Steel has fabricated, supplied and erected the project’s steelwork.